Wednesday, March 09, 2011

In the usus antiquior today, Ash Wednesday, comes up one of my very most favourite gospel passages from St. Matthew's Gospel, chapter 6, verses 16-21:

"At that time Jesus said to His disciples: When you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their face, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash thy face, that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay Thee. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also."

We here at the NLM pray you all have a very blessed and holy Lent.

I would invite you to share what things you might have chosen to either given up, or add, this Lent, in case it might be of inspiration to others. Speaking personally, I would be particularly interested to hear how many might have chosen to add the Divine Office or Lectio Divina as part of your Lenten observances.